Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.

1 SAMUEL 22:11KJV
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1 Samuel 22:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 22:11 mean?

1 Samuel 22:11 describes King Saul summoning Ahimelech the priest, who is the son of Ahitub, along with all the other priests from the town of Nob, to come before him. The verse notes that all these priests responded and came to the king as he commanded.

In this scene, King Saul is taking action after hearing reports about David’s interactions with the priests. Saul’s order to gather Ahimelech and his entire priestly family shows the seriousness of the situation, as he is about to confront them regarding their support of David. The verse sets the stage for a tense and significant meeting, highlighting the authority of Saul and the vulnerability of the priests.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 22:11

  • The word for "king" is מֶלֶךְ (melek), which emphasizes Saul’s role as the one with authority to command others, underscoring the power imbalance in this encounter.
  • "Sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often carries the sense of dispatching someone with authority; here, it shows Saul’s direct involvement and control over the situation.
  • "Priests" is כֹּהֵן (kohen), used both for Ahimelech and the group from Nob, making it clear that this was not just a personal summons but one that involved the entire priestly community.

Why 1 Samuel 22:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s summons was not limited to Ahimelech alone but included all the priests of Nob, which is crucial for understanding the gravity of what follows in the narrative.
  • The verse sets up the context for the tragic events that will soon occur, showing how Saul’s suspicion and anger are directed not just at David but also at those who helped him.
  • By naming Ahimelech as the son of Ahitub and gathering the whole priestly house, the verse connects this moment to the priestly lineage, highlighting the broader impact Saul’s actions will have on Israel’s spiritual leadership.

Where else these words appear

“Nob” Hebrew H5011 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
  • Nehemiah 11:32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

“Ahitub” Hebrew H285 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
  • 1 Chronicles 6:52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

“Ahimelech” Hebrew H288 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 22:16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.
  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;